WSR 24-23-006
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-257—Filed November 7, 2024, 3:02 p.m., effective November 8, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: November 8, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule will open recreational salmon and gamefish seasons in Snoqualmie River, open gamefish seasons in Tokul Creek, and maintain previously announced salmon seasons in Snohomish, Skykomish, and Wallace rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000A; and amending WAC 220-312-040.
Under RCW
34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: This emergency rule is necessary to open recreational game fish and salmon seasons in Snoqualmie River, and game fish seasons in Tokul Creek, while maintaining previously announced salmon seasons for Snohomish, Skykomish, and Wallace rivers.
Snohomish basin coho runsize in-season update (ISU) indicates a low risk of exceeding management objectives for coho. Chinook salmon are nearing the end of their spawning run, and the risk of incidental sport fishery encounters of natural Chinook salmon is reduced in Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie [Skykomish], and Wallace rivers, allowing for salmon season openings targeting coho.
The Washington department of fish and wildlife recently announced changes to the Tokul Creek hatchery program. Tokul Creek hatchery will be ending its segregated hatchery program (using only early winter hatchery broodstock) at the end of 2024 and switch to an integrated broodstock program (using wild broodstock) to support steelhead conservation and sustainable fishing opportunities in the future. This additional fishing opportunity to target hatchery steelhead will help minimize hatchery fish from straying to natural spawning areas and assist in the transition to an integrated broodstock program.
There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: November 7, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000CFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective November 8 through January 14, 2025, provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding salmon seasons for Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and Wallace rivers shall be modified as described herein. Additionally, game fish seasons for Tokul Creek shall be modified as described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
(1) Skykomish River (Snohomish County): From the mouth to confluence of North and South Forks: Effective November 8 through December 31, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum.
(2) Snohomish River (Snohomish County): From mouth (Burlington-Northern Railroad bridges) (including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways, but excluding all tributaries) to confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers (all channels): Effective November 8 through December 31, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum.
(3) Snoqualmie River (Snohomish County): From mouth to Snoqualmie Falls: Effective November 8 through December 31, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum.
(4) Tokul Creek (King County): From mouth to the posted boundary marker downstream of diversion dam: Effective November 8 through January 14, 2025:
(a) All species: Anti-snagging rules in effect. Fishing closed from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., daily.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout minimum size 14".
(c) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size and daily limit.
(5) Wallace River (Snohomish County): From the mouth to 200 feet upstream of water intake of salmon hatchery: Effective November 8 through December 31, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective November 8, 2024:
WAC 220-312-04000A | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (24-246) |